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Raptors after 70 games – a look back, a look forward

By Brian Boake

AUBURN HILLS, MI - MARCH 7: Head Coach Dwane Casey of the Toronto Raptors reacts to a play during the game against the Detroit Pistons on March 7, 2018 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI - MARCH 7: Head Coach Dwane Casey of the Toronto Raptors reacts to a play during the game against the Detroit Pistons on March 7, 2018 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Raptors continue to out-perform my optimistic prognostications. Yet I’m back for another try, secure in the knowledge that I’ll be wrong.

The Raptors were expected to stub their toes during Games 61-70, but didn’t until the end. An 11-game win streak came to a disappointing conclusion in the final minute of an otherwise thrilling game against the OKC Thunder. (LATE EDITOR’S NOTE: Why those guys couldn’t prevail in Boston, when they held a 6-point lead with 24 seconds to play, is incomprehensible; that result has an effect on this post.)

TORONTO, CANADA – MARCH 9: Masai Ujiri and Drake before the game between the Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors on March 9, 2018 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA – MARCH 9: Masai Ujiri and Drake before the game between the Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors on March 9, 2018 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Toronto needed extra time twice, against the Pistons and Mavericks. Both times they came back to win. Game 65 was a huge victory, perhaps the season’s biggest, against the juggernaut Houston Rockets. The Raptors extended their road winning streak to eight by sweeping the Knicks, Nets and Pacers.

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I’m going to consider the final 12 games of the season, not 10 as I’ve been doing. Our team starts in Orlando, where only injuries to DeMar DeRozan and Fred VanVleet can keep Toronto from victory. The next night finds the Raps facing the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The season’s final few weeks

Toronto enjoys home cooking and exuberant fans when facing the Nets, Clippers and Nuggets. Brooklyn always gives a solid effort, but the Raps have won the last 11 meetings. The “other” LA team and Denver are fighting for the West’s final playoff spot, so they will bring their A+ games. Then it’s back on the charter jet for visits to Boston and Cleveland.

In the Air Canada Centre, we face the Celtics (what? again?…yep) and then Indiana. Fan Appreciation Day, which is the last home game of the regular season, will see our team face the Magic. We wrap up in Detroit and Miami.

Obviously this final dozen features some difficult games. It’s easy to envision a 6-6 record – and that may be all the Raptors need to wrap up first place.

Get that top seed, somehow!

For me, that’s the critical matter – whether we grab the #1 seed by 5 games or 1 is moot. The Raptors’ brilliant record at the Air Canada Centre, and our team’s health, are two critical factors which can tip the balance in the post-season. Coach Dwane Casey will be mindful of both.

The only threat to Toronto’s seizure of home court throughout the playoffs (until the Finals, of course) is Boston. The Raptors have the hammer; i.e., if they keep winning, the Celtics can run the table and it won’t help them. Boston has just embarked on a 4-game Western road swing. If they split, and only beat Toronto once in two tries when they return, it’s all over but the shouting.

Once the top spot is clinched, all predictions are out the window. Our starters might play half of each game, or less. We’ll see the Raptors 905 guys putting on big-boy clothing at the ACC. I hope Kennedy Meeks get a look.

The Raps face the Pistons on the second night of a back to back in Game 81. I’ll wager the bench bunch starts.

Netting it out? The Raptors finish the season with a 59-23 mark and the East’s top seed. Nobody, but nobody, predicted such success.

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